Youth leaders promote social justice and equality in sexual and reproductive health

From 2006-2009, International Health Programs of the Public Health Institute increased the knowledge, commitment, and competency of 58 Spanish-speaking youth leaders working to improve adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and Quintana Roo, Mexico through the implementation of the Youth Leadership in Sexual and Reproductive Health Program (GOJOven). The program focuses on training youth leaders from ethnic, cultural and sexually diverse communities during a year-long Fellowship program in order to advance acceptance, equity and social justice throughout Mesoamerica. Program Fellows are leaders of their own learning processes, participating in a mix of experiential and classroom-based training exercises and benefiting from intercultural exchange with their peers. The curriculum includes a series of themes that fall into three principal categories: sexual and reproductive health and rights, leadership, and program planning and management. Quantitative and qualitative evaluation data indicates that program Fellows experienced increased leadership and knowledge and competencies in ASRH, improved awareness and attitude towards SRH and are activity implementing ASRH projects in their communities. Specifically, Fellows reported that GOJoven significantly increased their ability to value diversity, take personal and professional risks, self-reflect, build their self-esteem, think critically and strategically, and design and manage projects. Fellows are now more able and committed to improving sexual health and well-being for the most disadvantaged youth in their communities. Training diverse youth to improve the sexual and reproductive health of their younger peers can effectively promote social justice and equality.